diverge · Strategy · 60–90 min · 3-12 people · medium energy

AI Opportunity Radar

The AI Opportunity Radar helps teams strategically explore the potential impact of AI on their business by mapping both immediate applications and broader, second-order effects. It encourages thinking beyond obvious uses to identify transformative opportunities and potential risks.

When to use AI Opportunity Radar

Use this method when you need to explore the strategic implications of AI for your organization, generate innovative ideas for AI applications, and identify potential risks and opportunities.

What it solves

Lack of strategic vision regarding AI, limiting innovation to obvious applications, and failing to anticipate disruptive changes.

How to run AI Opportunity Radar, step by step

  1. Introduce the concept of first-order and second-order AI opportunities. (5 minutes)
  2. Select a core AI capability (e.g., content generation, prediction, personalization). (5 minutes)
  3. Individually brainstorm first-order opportunities (immediate applications). (15 minutes)
  4. In small groups, discuss and capture first-order opportunities on sticky notes. (15 minutes)
  5. For each first-order opportunity, brainstorm second-order effects (knock-on effects, new business models). (20 minutes)
  6. Capture second-order opportunities on different colored sticky notes. (10 minutes)
  7. Cluster the opportunities on the radar chart, identifying themes and potential impact. (10 minutes)

Materials needed

  • Sticky notes (two colors)
  • Pens
  • Whiteboard or large paper
  • Pre-printed AI Opportunity Radar template (or digital equivalent)

Facilitator tips

  • Encourage participants to think broadly and creatively about second-order effects.
  • Provide examples of successful AI applications in other industries to spark inspiration.
  • Remind the group to consider potential risks alongside opportunities.

Common pitfalls

  • Focusing only on obvious, incremental improvements.
  • Failing to consider the ethical implications of AI applications.
  • Getting bogged down in technical details instead of strategic thinking.

Variations

  • Focus the radar on a specific business unit or product line.
  • Use different criteria for clustering opportunities (e.g., feasibility, strategic alignment).
  • Incorporate a risk assessment component to evaluate the potential downsides of each opportunity.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a digital whiteboard like Miro or Mural to collaboratively capture and cluster ideas. Ensure remote participants have equal opportunity to contribute.

What it produces

A visual radar chart mapping first-order and second-order AI opportunities, clustered by theme and potential impact.

Origin

Developed by Board of Innovation — source

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